September 27th 2011, Harlequin Teen 304 pages, E-copy
Netgalley
Young Adult
I’m Juliet.
At least, I wanted to be.
So I did something stupid to make it happen.
Well, stupid and wonderful.
I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.
I didn’t get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren’t any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I’d cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?
Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William’s younger brother.
Good thing he’s sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he’s from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.
Still, there’s something about him that’s making my eyes go star-crossed....
Will Romeo steal her heart before time steals him away?
Opinion:
Despite my love/hate relationship with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, I found this book to be entertaining and informing about what really happens behind the scenes.
Miranda Hoberman accidentally conjures up Edmund trying to cast a spell in hopes of being Juliet in the school play. Imagine her surprise finding a boy four hundred years in the past and his surprise that his brother's plays are still popular. As both try to figure out the complicated situation, Edmund is also involved in the play and becomes a vital part. Who else could make a better Romeo than Shakespeare's brother?
The book is a modern take on R&J and Miranda is cast as the star role, Edmund's Juliet. But this story was always meant to be a tragedy.
This book has great focus on Shakespeare's works and I enjoyed learning some things I missed when I originally read the play. I could really get into what Juliet thought of her doomed love.
Douglas's characters were relatable although I found their "Hey, dude" dialogue a bit strange. The romance was like every high school love and cute. I found the ending was satisfying although I had thought the book had more potential.
Overall, The Juliet Spell was a fun, quick read.
Rating:
Wow this sounds interesting because it is so different. I can't even imagine it. I guess I have to read it to understand ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great premise! I would love to read this. I love historical fiction and I love Shakespeare!
ReplyDelete@Reflectionsofabookaholic The book was a really cool idea that I loved.
ReplyDelete@Midnyte Reader Shakespeare's presence, in literature and real life ;), was why I wanted to read this too!